UNIT 2: BASIC TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES IN
LAND USE PLANNING
MODULE 1: LAND USE SURVEYING AND
PROFILING
Reference 1: CLUP Guidebook Volume 1
Foot Survey
 Area inspection is done on foot
(walking).
 This is recommended for high-density
areas to produce precise survey checks,
specifically for the urban areas or
poblaciones.
Steps:
1. Determine pace factor.
 Get a 50-meter tape measure.
Spread tape.
 Let the fieldworker walk at least
three times along the tape.
Record the number of paces in
every direction.
 Add number of paces and
divide by the number of times
the fieldworkers walked along
the tape.
 Divide 50-meters by the
average number of paces. The
result is the pace factor.
 To get the frontage distance,
simply multiply the number of
recorded paces by the pace
factor.
2. Note down the exact use of land areas
and structures on them. The
information should be recorded on the
survey sheet plotted on the working
map.
Windshield Survey
 Windshield survey is done while riding a
vehicle.
 It involves a rapid survey of land uses
particularly in low density areas.
 It is used for a general land use survey
of the entire municipality/city.
Steps:
1. Set odometer reading to zero. A
working map and topographic
map/aerial photo must be on hand to
record land uses and note changes, if
any.
2. Use a compass to ensure correct
orientation on the working map. A pair
of binoculars would also be helpful in
conducting the ocular survey.
3. Note changes in land uses leading for
instance, in area expansion. With the
use of reference points like rivers, roads
and other landmarks, boundaries of
specific uses may be approximated on
the topographic map/material
photograph. The odometer must be
read to determine the approximate
distance where the changes occur along
the highway. Boundaries may also be
counterchecked with recent aerial
photographs.
4. Transfer the survey findings on the base
map. Use appropriate color in the
delineation of the land use categories.
Global Positioning System (GPS) Survey
 The use of handheld GPS receivers is
the best way to perform actual ground
survey and ground truthing.
Steps:
 1. Familiarize yourself with the GPS
receiver being used. Read and follow
the manufacturer’s instruction on the
use and operation of the GPS receiver.
Make sure that all settings are correct
and appropriate and that satellite and
weather conditions for GPS reading are
satisfied before conducting the survey.
2. Proceed to the points of observation
and get the GPS reading. Record these
readings (usually the latitude and
longitude) and a description of the
points being occupied.
3. Transfer readings on a base map by
either manual plotting or by uploading
the data from the GPS to a computer.
Software is available which can get and
process data from GPS receivers.
Reference 2: Guidebook on Sustainable Land
Use Planning and Management
Ecological Profile
 Merges the socioeconomic and
biophysical profiles of the study area
and treat these subjects on equal
footing
 Should contain, at the minimum,
thematic maps necessary for analysis
Usual Contents of an Ecological Profile
Geophysical Environment
1. Land Characteristics
a. Geography
o Indicate the relative
location of the area
(latitude and longitude) and
its boundaries with respect
to other administrative and
political units.
b. Geology and Geomorphology
o Describe the major geologic
structures and land
formations
c. Topography
o Describe the general
topography of the area,
including the slope, aspect,
and elevation
d. Soils
o Indicate the types of soils
that exist in the area, land
capability classes, their
characteristics, and area
coverage
e. Drainage, Tributary Patterns, and
Catchment Areas
o Describe the types of
drainage pattern and
drainage density, and the
direction of river flow
o Indicate the name and
location of each catchment
basin and the area of its
drainage surface
o Distinguish the watersheds
that are located entirely
within the study area from
those that only partially
drain into, out of, or
through the study area
f. Land Classification and Regulatory
Status
o State the legal classification
of the land (e.g., alienable
and disposable land,
classified/unclassified
public forest)
o Indicate the regulatory
status of the areas with
lease or permits
 g. Land Use and Vegetative Cover
o Describe current land uses
and vegetative cover
including the extent of
coverage
h. Mineral Resources and Reserves
o Identify and show a map of
the location of mineral
deposits and mining sites
i. Natural Hazards
o Prepare maps of hazards
experienced by the
city/municipality
o Describe the natural
hazards based on available
historical data on the
occurrence of earthquakes,
landslides, floods, etc.
2. Water Characteristics
a. Location and Extent/Size of Surface
Freshwater Resources
o Indicate the important
surface freshwater
resources of the area
o Include the location and
extent of water bodies
b. Location and Extent/Size of Marine
and Coastal Resources
o Indicate/map out the
coastal and marine
resources of the area such
as mangroves, coral reefs,
seagrass, and aquaculture
resources
o Describe the existing
pattern of utilization of
municipal waters
c. General Groundwater Information
o Provide information on the
water table – location of
wells and springs, aquifer
recharge and discharge
rates, etc.
d. Water Use and Regulation
o Describe the observed
water usage of springs,
wells, etc. by the local
population
e. Surface Water/Stream Conditions
o Describe the water quality
of groundwater and surface
freshwater
o Include data on
sedimentation, physical
properties, and chemical
and bacteriological
characteristics
o Indicate surface water
runoff rate and streamflow
variations of major streams
draining the area
f. Watershed Importance
o Discuss the importance of
certain watersheds with
respect to the dominant
uses of surrounding areas
g. Prevailing Tidal Fluctuations
o Discuss the prevailing tidal
fluctuations within the area
3. Atmosphere
a. General Climatic Type
o Describe the general
climatic conditions of the
area (i.e., rainfall,
temperature, humidity)
Biological Environment
c. Sectoral Production
1. Vegetation/Flora
o Discuss the annual
 Species composition
production and
 Species density
characteristics of different
 Distribution
sectors
 Species diversity
 Standing crop d. Power Generation
 Rate of biomass production o Discuss power generation
 Ecological/species indicators and consumption of the
area, including power
2. Fauna generation facilities and the
 Species composition corresponding generating
 Population densities and capacity, and electric
distribution cooperatives, if any.
 Species diversity
 Biomass e. Transportation and
production/productivity Communication Facilities
 Ecological species/indicators o Describe the existing
 Commercially valued species network and mode of
transportation, and the
3. Bacteria and Fungi type, number, and spatial
 Provide a list of significant or distribution of
dominantly harmful and communication facilities of
beneficial bacteria and fungi the area
found in the area

Socioeconomic, Cultural, and Political f. Health and Education

Environment o Describe the state of health
and educational attainment
1. Social of the population
o Enumerate the available
a. Demography facilities and services by
o Present population type, number, and spatial
parameters such as distribution, and show
population size, areas where deficiencies
distribution, density, and exist
growth rate
g. Tourism and Recreational Facilities
b. Livelihood and Income Sources o Describe the existing tourist
o Discuss the livelihood and spots and support facilities
income sources in the area (e.g., parks, recreation,
o Include income levels of the cultural areas, etc.)
population and the gross
domestic product h. Solid Waste and Sewerage Systems
 o Describe the sewerage and
waste disposal system as to c. Legal and Institutional Jurisdiction
type, number, and location Over Natural Resources
 Cite specific regulations and
i. Wet Market and Slaughterhouse ordinances which directly
o Describe the general affect the environment and
conditions of wet markets natural resources of the
and slaughterhouses in the area
area
Summary
j. Cooperatives and Non-
Government Organizations
o Discuss the types of
cooperatives and non-
government organizations
operating in the area and
their respective activities
and advocacies.

2. Cultural
 Tribal/ethnic groups
 Religious groups
 Languages and dialects
 Ancestral domains
 History and archeology

3. Political

a. Political Units
 Provide a map showing the
political units and
boundaries of districts,
municipalities, chartered
cities, barangays, and sitios

b. Citizen Participation
 Describe the participation
of residents and private
organizations in decision-
making and consultative
councils, provincial and
municipal development
councils, etc. and activities
undertaken